Hey all--

I've been lurking for a little while trying to learn about getting the most out of my AMEX points, and recently upgraded to the Centurion card. I generally prefer to use my points for travel, paying for my flight and hotels in full with points. I don't fly much for business, but travel internationally several times a year for pleasure. As a result, I'm not a member of many frequent flyer programs outside of my Centurion card benefits. Now that I've got the Centurion, I'm wondering if I should change my travel payment strategy and start paying for flights/hotel to take advantage of the frequent upgrades that come as a result of using my Centurion card.

For example, I'm flying to Rome this summer from New York on vacation, and am wondering if I should 1) pay for two coach/business class seats with points 2) pay for one biz class ticket and get the other free [companion benefit] 3) pay for 2 coach/biz class seats and hope for an automatic upgrade to biz/first class.

I assume if I pay with points I don't get either the companion business class ticket or the automatic upgrades? Is this wrong? Similar situation re: hotels. What do you all think is the most cost and points-efficient way to get the most out of my Centurion card benefits?